| Index | Harlan | Iowa | National |
| Average Test Scores | 81% | 69% | 48% |
| Student/Teacher ratio | 17:1 | 13:1 | 16:1 |
| Total public schools | 5 | 1,101 | 79,221 |
| Total private schools | 1 | 208 | 24,874 |
| Total post-secondary schools | n/a | 96 | 7,963 |
| Index | Harlan | Iowa | National |
| Completed 8th grade | 86.4% | 89.2% | 84.3% |
| Completed high school | 82.6% | 87.7% | 83.0% |
| Completed some college | 51.7% | 59.8% | 59.4% |
| Completed associate degree | 33.2% | 38.4% | 38.5% |
| Completed bachelors | 23.9% | 27.2% | 30.3% |
| Completed masters | 5.5% | 8.7% | 11.5% |
| Completed professional degree | 0.9% | 2.7% | 3.3% |
| Completed doctorate | 0.2% | 1.1% | 1.3% |
There are a total of 5 public schools, 1 private schools and n/a post-secondary schools in Harlan. Using the proficiency score averages, the average test scores for Harlan, IA schools is 81%. The average student to teacher ratio is 17:1. In Harlan, IA, an average of 86.4% of students have completed 8th grade and an average of 82.6% have completed high school.
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Irwin, IA | 327 | 80% | 66.7% |
| Avoca, IA | 1,368 | 77% | 61.1% |
| Dunlap, IA | 1,214 | 70% | 44.8% |
| Elk Horn, IA | 548 | 67% | 39.6% |
| Neola, IA | 1,055 | 66% | 38.2% |
| Harlan, IA | 4,813 | 81% | 68.1% |
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Tallassee, AL | 4,818 | 41% | 14.6% |
| Ahoskie, NC | 4,819 | 34% | 28.6% |
| Nashville, GA | 4,820 | 46% | 5.2% |
| Palmetto, GA | 4,802 | 45% | 6.8% |
| Whiting, IN | 4,801 | 35% | 27.5% |
| Harlan, IA | 4,813 | 81% | 68.1% |
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